Welcome

The Border Riders Motorcycle Club (BRMC) is an organized group of guys who like to ride and camp. Our membership spans the Pacific Northwest, with the greatest participation in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver B.C. We have one of the largest memberships of gay clubs in North America, and welcome like-minded guests to join us on our monthly club events and local activities during the riding months. Check the main page of the website at http://borderriders.com for additional information.

Monthly Recap

The June run and campout was held at McIver State Park, at Estacada, Oregon. We got the big group site, which was 'huge'! It could have held a hundred people, so we were lost in it vastness. The site being very private, was like having our own isolated forest camp. Nice.

16 of us were able to make it for this run. The weather was 'mommy bear' in the middle... not too hot, not too cold. Lots of rabbits and squirrels running about made things interesting. Some of us gathered for dinner just down the road for Friday night at the River View, a happening motorcycle hangout. Breakfast the next day saw us a a mom and pop place in Estacada, which took forever to get food out to us, so it was a good thing that not many were on that menu run. Dinner saw pizzas flying into camp so we can hang out more at this beautiful site.

Firewood was delivered by Dave, who lives locally, so we enjoyed a nice evening around it under the trees Saturday Night. Sunday came quickly, and we packed up early so that many could head out to ride for the first time in a long time in the Portland Pride Parade.

The guys lining it up for the group shot warm-up.

Darryl in full formal leather dress. Look'n sharp!

Lots of good cheer in getting together again on this very nice weekend.

Mike's V65 gave up the ghost somewhere along the way. Dennis road all the way back to Washington to get his trailer. Attempts to repair at camp were not successful as an electrical component failed. BRMC guys stick together.

New arrivals at the park, catching up on all things.

BRMC Group photo McIver State Park, Oregon

Member Jeff B on Radio

Member Alan H contacted media person Crystal Ligori several months ago about possibly doing a feature story about the club. Since that original contact Crystal began working for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and pitched the story idea to her boss. Long story short, Jeff B was interviewed by Kate Davidson just before the Portland Pride Parade. Jeff did a great job representing the club! Afterward, Jeff said, "Crystal, it seems the interview was the 'talk therapy' we both needed to get off the fence and onto bikes!" After the interview Jeff went out and got a new battery for his bike and rode in the Pride Parade. Jeff hadn't been on his bike for two years since his accident at the last Enterprise, OR run. Crystal said that she was going to get her motorcycle endorsement.

From the Handlebars of the President

From left to right, Guest Don A., Jeff C, Richard A, Marc L.

The organizers of the Seattle St Jude's Rock n Roll Marathon asked the Border Riders Motorcycle to assist with the race on June 10th. There were over 17,000 runners that participated in the 5K, Half Marathon and the full Marathon. We were asked to provide rides for members of the media. Marc L., Richard A. and his brother Don, and myself volunteered to help out. I met Richard at 4:45 a.m. at the 300th St Park & Ride and then caught up to Don at the Everett I-5 rest stop. We arrived at our designated meeting point at the start of the race at 6:00 a.m. where Marc was awaiting our arrival.

The race began at 6:30. Marc had the official photographer as a passenger and I had the videographer. The other two media people did not show up so Richard and Don went to breakfast and headed home. Every few minutes a group of runners would be released and after several groups had left the starting point we headed out on the motorcycles. We followed the runners on the route. It was a challenge to ride with the runners and stay on the route. There were two very steep hills that were a challenge to navigate up slowly with a pack of runners surrounding the bike.

At various points along the route they had bands playing. The bands varied from Rock N Roll to Japanese drummers to country music. There were full bands as well as just individuals performing. The race began and ended at the Seattle Center. On the lawn area of Seattle Center they had a large stage set up with bands playing throughout the afternoon. The Marathon followed the same route as the Half Marathon for the first first half and shortly before the finish line the Full Marathon veered off for the second half of its route. We only completed the Half Marathon. I can now saw that I have completed a half marathon......okay maybe it was on a motorcycle!

I am looking forward to the run this month over at Kettle Falls. It will be an opportunity to explore an area that I haven't been to as well as ride some roads I haven't been on. I plan to head out Friday morning and go over Hwy 20. I always enjoy the scenery of riding over the North Cascades Hwy. I hope to see you in Kettle Falls.

50th Anniversary

At our March club meeting it was decided to focus on two main events to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary next year. The first event was to do a circle tour or long road trip. The idea is to have a ride that would be for five to seven days. It was decided that due to weather conditions and busy summer schedules to have the ride in September. This would also be a good way to conclude the riding season for the 50th year. At this time the committee is seeking ideas for a route or destination. Please send your ideas to Troy A at troy@besthomesrealty.net

The second event is to have a bigger and better Anniversary Banquet. The Anniversary Banquet will be held in Seattle in 2020 and we would like to get as many current and former members there as possible.

Road Captain Rumblings

The June run to Milo McIver in Oregon was slightly different than most. We had a very spacious campground, but it was very underused. The bulk of the Washingtonians didn’t make it to the campground on Friday due to a delay with problems with Michael’s bike. He stayed at a hotel with his bike and others stayed at another hotel further on. I went back to Seattle to get trailer for Michael’s bike as didn’t figure he would be able to get it fixed on Saturday. We had other offers of help from the Portland area and it feels great to have a group that really looks out for each other. The other thing is given the proximity to Portland we had a few that commuted to the campground rather than staying.

Then on Sunday off to breakfast and the ride in the Portland Pride Parade. Because of the previous events I didn’t ride in the parade, but the Facebook posts looks like everyone had fun in spite of slow riding and heat on the air-cooled bikes.

Riding in Portland’s parade raises some questions for future planning. I’ll be sending out an email to members shortly asking about riding in future parades. Some of the things to ponder are: Is it something we want to do in the future? Do we want to rotate between Vancouver, Seattle and Portland even if it involved changing the camp weekend? I will have the list of questions out in the next week and would appreciate response tally before the July run so can discuss at the meeting.

I hope to see many of you at the runs throughout the summer, get out and ride.

Dennis Hummel, Road Captain 2018

BRMC in the Portland Pride Parade

BRMC in the Portland Pride Parade

Upcoming July Run

The trip to Kettle Falls will be a long haul for most riders, but well worth it. Unlike many parts of Eastern Washington which are flat and boring there are many great opportunities for day rides in the area. We’ll be staying at Evans Group Camp 11 miles north of town. Kettle Falls is not a large city, but definitely larger and more offerings than Fossil. Bring your passport or Nexus as a northern day ride would take you into Canada.

Evans Group Camp is along the northern shoreline of Lake Roosevelt. The site is long and narrow, an orientation that allows for a fantastic, clear view of the lake from every vantage point. Lake Roosevelt is a 130-mile lake on the Columbia River created by the Grand Coulee Dam.

Evans provides ample shade with thick forests of ponderosa pine, douglas fir and maple trees. The lake area is abundant with wildlife, including moose, elk and deer. Quite a few bald eagles have been spotted around Evans.

Much of the water in the originates from glaciers and snow in the cold, high Canadian Rockies, though temperatures are pleasant to swim in during summer.

Beach fires are permitted year-round on the exposed lake bed, EXCEPT when the fire danger rating for the park is at or below Level 2 as indicated by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for the area, Because of being right on the lake chances are better for a campfire than many areas, so we'll have to see as we get closer.

Cost is for the campout is $25 for members, $35 for guests, Canadian prices adjusted per the standing order. Watch your emails for registration opening and reminders to register.

Calendar of 2018 Events

January 20 Annual General Meeting – Seattle

February 17 Anniversary Banquet – Vancouver, BC

March 17 Club Meeting

April 21 Club Meeting

May 18-21 Victoria Day Weekend Camp

June 15-17 Milo McIver, Estacada, OR & Portland Pride

July 20-21 Evans Group, Kettle Falls, WA

August 17-20 Goldstream Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, BC

September 14-16 Bear Hollow Camp, Fossil, OR

October 20 Club Meeting

November 17 Club Meeting

December 8 Holiday Party

Birthdays

We have 11 members with birthdays this month. Please take a moment to wish them a great day.

Hugh S - Jul 05

David F - Jul 10

J. Scott G - Jul 04

Kerry H - Jul 23

Chris L - Jul 05

Marc L - Jul 09

John M - Jul 06

André P - Jul 21

Ryan S - Jul 24

Dan S - Jul 26

Jeremy W - Jul 24

Meet & Greets

BRMC members will be available for new and returning guys to connect and learn more about the club and opportunities to participate. If you are interested, check out when and where in the cities listed below. Also, in addition to the club's monthly events, local rides may be organized, weather permitting. To lean more, email the Road Captain for specific details, or to ensure a member to meet you, at captain@borderriders.com.